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Mastering Robotic Colectomy: 45 Cases Needed for Proficiency

Achieving technical proficiency in robotic colectomy typically requires around 45 procedures, according to a systematic review of 35 studies involving over 7,500 surgical cases. Competency correlates with significant reductions in operative duration and complication rates, falling from 25% to 10%. The analysis highlights the variance in training methodologies, with formal programs combining simulation and supervision leading to quicker skill acquisition. Effective training frameworks are essential for improving surgical education and patient outcomes.

Review by Coco D and Leanza S in J Robot Surg

© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature.

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Targeting Anastomotic Leakage Could Transform Outcomes Post-Gastrectomy

Postoperative complications plagued 24.1% of 7829 gastrectomy patients, with anastomotic leakage bearing the brunt of negative outcomes. It significantly escalated care needs and upped 30-day mortality rates by 26.6%. Along with pulmonary complications, it remained a critical target for healthcare quality improvement. Barriers to effective resource allocation persist, yet focusing on these complications could drastically mitigate both clinical and economic burdens following gastric cancer surgeries.

Multicenter Study by van Hootegem SJM, van der Linde M (…) Wijnhoven BPL et 14 al. in Br J Surg

© The Author(s) 2025. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of BJS Foundation Ltd.

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48-Hour Symptom Onset Marks Elevated Risk for Perforated Appendicitis

A clinical risk model underscores that a 48-hour symptom threshold significantly predicts perforation in acute appendicitis. An analysis of 414 patients revealed that longer delays before hospital presentation correlate with increased perforation risk. Notably, time intervals over 48 hours yielded an adjusted odds ratio of 3.30 for perforation. Elevated CRP levels and the presence of appendicolith further enhance risk assessment. This model offers a critical tool for tailoring treatment strategies at hospital admission.

Journal Article by Fujino M, Ochiai S and Kubota T in World J Surg

© 2025 International Society of Surgery/Société Internationale de Chirurgie (ISS/SIC).

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Deceased Donor Pancreas Model Enhances Surgical Training in Pancreaticojejunostomy

A novel training model utilizing deceased donor pancreata significantly boosts surgical residents’ skills in pancreaticojejunostomy. Nearly 87% of participants reported increased confidence, while over 82% noted enhancements in anastomotic technique and execution. Faculty assert that inadequate exposure hinders residents’ participation, but access to this training lab could bridge that gap, leading to improved tissue handling and anatomical understanding in complex surgeries.

Journal Article by Guloyan V, Patnaik R (…) Fritze D et 5 al. in J Surg Res

Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Plasma Proteomic Profiles Enhance Diverticulitis Risk Prediction Accuracy

A novel plasma proteomic risk score significantly refines the stratification of severe diverticulitis risk. This comprehensive study, analyzing data from over 43,000 patients, reveals a strong association between specific protein profiles and heightened risk of severe disease. The inclusion of proteomic data alongside genetic and lifestyle factors notably improved prediction models, increasing their accuracy for clinical application. Insights into related renal and cardiometabolic conditions further underscore the potential of proteomic signatures in clinical risk management.

Journal Article by Ueland TE, Shelley JP (…) Hawkins AT et 5 al. in J Surg Res

Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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New Italian Guidelines Streamline GERD Diagnosis and Management

Italian experts recommend a symptom-based strategy for diagnosing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), emphasizing the exclusion of alarm symptoms and non-GERD causes. For those with alarm features or unresponsive to standard treatments, more invasive tests like esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy are advised. Treatment protocols advocate a 4-8 week course of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for most patients, reserving higher doses for specific cases. These guidelines aim to enhance clinical efficacy and standardize care across practices.

Practice Guideline by Savarino EV, Barberio B (…) Sarnelli G et 23 al. in Dig Liver Dis

Copyright © 2025 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Endovascular Management Cuts Mortality and Length of Stay in Acute Mesenteric Ischaemia

Acute Mesenteric Ischaemia (AMI) carries a staggering 50% mortality risk. A scoping review of 39 studies (20,991 patients) reveals endovascular interventions outperform open surgery, yielding lower 30-day mortality rates (0%-53.8% vs. 21%-81%) and shorter hospital (5-15.35 days vs. 5.7-27.26 days) and ICU stays (0-5.35 days vs. 2-13 days). Timely diagnosis and careful patient selection are pivotal. The findings underscore the need for a multidisciplinary approach and future standardization of treatment protocols.

Review by Costello L, Duggan WP (…) Kavanagh DO et 2 al. in Dig Surg

© 2025 S. Karger AG, Basel.

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Barbed Sutures Slash Surgical Site Infections and Hospital Stays

A systematic review of over 12,000 patients reveals that barbed sutures significantly lower surgical site infection rates (1.9% vs. 4.0%) and shorten hospital stays by over a day. Notably, there’s no increase in fascial complications compared to non-barbed sutures, marking barbed options as both safe and efficient for abdominal fascial closure. This analysis underscores the potential for improved patient outcomes in surgical settings using barbed sutures.

Journal Article by Matsuda A, Yamada T (…) Yoshida H et 9 al. in Surg Today

© 2025. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

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Removing 19 or More Negative Lymph Nodes Enhances Survival in Esophageal Cancer

A systematic review reveals that removing 19 or more negative lymph nodes (NLNs) during esophageal cancer surgery correlates with significantly improved survival rates, particularly in adenocarcinoma patients. Specifically, the hazard ratio indicates a 12% improved survival compared to those with fewer than 19 NLNs removed. This finding underscores the importance of surgical strategy, suggesting that surgical guidelines should now include this NLN removal threshold for better patient outcomes.

Meta-Analysis by Bahardoust M, Torabi S (…) Tizmaghz A et 6 al. in BMC Surg

© 2025. The Author(s).

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Advancements in Surgical Technology Transform Outcomes for Distal Rectal Cancer Patients

Over two decades, integrating robotic surgery, high-resolution MRI, and the watch-and-wait strategy dramatically improved oncological outcomes for locally advanced distal rectal cancer patients. Five-year overall survival rates soared from 78% to nearly 92%, while disease-free survival increased from 67% to 80%. Additionally, permanent stoma-free survival rates rose from 56% to 86%. This evolution reflects a significant shift in treatment approaches enhancing patient quality of life alongside survival.

Journal Article by Shadmanov N, Aliyev V (…) Asoglu O et 2 al. in J Gastrointest Cancer

© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

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